Automatic feeder



May 1, 1934. v BUSH 1,957,318

AUT OMAT I C FEEDER Filed March 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ll INVENTOR.

' BY p ATTORN YS.

May 1, 1934. BUSH 1,957,318

AUTOMATIC FEEDER Filed March 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5; 5; lgi 4.,

I N VEN TOR.

W v A TTORNEYS.

May 1, 1934. SH 1,957,318

' AUTOMATIC FEEDER Filed March 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 QJew-lwmad/ 11/.

ATTORNE S.

y 1, 1934. E. BUSH 1,957,318

AUTOMATIC FEEDER IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 1, 1934 FFIC UNITED STATES PATENT AUTOMATIC FEEDER- Application March 28, 1933, Serial No. 663,117

8 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic feeding mechanism for printing presses, and especially to an automatic feeder which is intended for feeding cardboard cartons, and the like.

Cardboard cartons are extensively used as containers for numerous commodities and are made in all sizes, the smaller sizes being usually referred to as paper cartons, and the larger sizes as cardboard boxes, as the larger sizes are gradually replacing the wooden boxes heretofore used in the shipment and packing of a great variety of goods.

In the manufacture of the larger size of cardboard boxes, or containers, comparatively heavy cardboard, fibreboard, corrugated board, and similar materials are employed. This material in flat form is first out, scored and embossed and then folded along the scored or embossed lines, the overlapping edges being glued or secured by stitching, staples, etc., after which they are again folded flat and in this condition are known as make-up cases. The make-up cases in flat form are finally printed to apply advertising matter of suitable character and announcements, such as quantity, grade and variety of goods, etc.

The printing of fiat make-up cases has proved quite a problem, particularly when automatic feeding has been attempted, this being due to the weight of the cases when stacked in piled formation and to natural obtrusions and obstructions caused by the embossing, the overlapping edges, the stapling, etc.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of automatic feeders intended for handling make-up cases, and the like; to provide a feeding mechanism which is adapted to receive and support the make-up cases inv stacked formation; to provide means for separating the lowermost case with relation to the stacked cases prior to removal by the feeding mechanism; to provide means for gripping and raising the major portion of the stacked cases prior to the separating operation so as to relieve the lowermost case of the weight of the stack during the separating and feeding of the lowermost case; to provide a feeding mechanism which is adjustable to receive and feed make-up cases of varying length and width; to provide means for synchronizing the feeding mechanism with relation to the printing cylinder; and further, to provide means for properly guiding the cases during the feeding operation to insure proper registration for color work, or otherwise.

The feeding mechanism is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the feeding mechanism and a portion of the printing press to which it is attached.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line IIII of Fig. 8.

Fig. 3 is a partial side elevation of the feeding mechanism taken from the opposite side of that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section taken on line IVIV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on line V--V of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section taken on line VI--VI of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a vertical cross section taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan View of the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of Fig. 9

Fig. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the slip or synchronizing clutch.

Fig. 12 is a perspective View of one of the makeup cases.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Fig. l, A indicates a main frame on which is supported a feeding table B, and a printing cylinder C, said cylinder being secured on a shaft D journaled crosswise of the frame. This shaft is continuously rotated in any suitable manner and forms a drive shaft for the feeding mechanism forming the subject matter of the present application. The manner in which the drive operates will hereinafter be described.

The feeding mechanism is supported by the feed table B in a slightly elevated position with relation thereto by means of a pair of angle iron frames, indicated by the numerals 22 and 3-3. The angle iron members forming the frame 22 are disposed on opposite sides of the feed table and extend from points, indicated at 4 see Fig. 1, to the front end of the machine, and they are rigidly secured to opposite sides of the feeding table by bolts, or the like, indicated at 5. Disposed at opposite ends of the angle iron members 2-2 and secured thereto are a pair of cross bars 6 and '7. These bars form a support for the angle bars 33 and these bars, in turn, form supports for side guiding bars, indicated at 8 and 8a.

By referring to Fig. 8, which is a plan view 'a pair of eccentrics 20.

of the feeding mechanism, it will be noted that the angle bars 3-3 are longitudinally slotted, as indicated at 3a, this being important as it permits longitudinal adjustment of the side guiding arms 8a; that is, to increase or decrease the space between the side guides 8 and 8a. This feature is'essential as make-up cases of varying length are handled. It should also be noted by referring to Fig. 8 that the cross bars 6 and 7 are slotted, as indicated at 6a. Bolts 9 extend through the angle bars 3 and the slots 6a and by loosening these bolts the angle bars 3, together with the side guides 8 and 8a supported thereby, may be adjusted laterally of the feed ing bed so as to increase or decrease the width between the side guides 8 and 8a so as to take care of make-up cases of varying width. The angle iron bars 3 also form a support for a plurality of pivotally mounted fingers 10, see Figs.

2, 6 and 7. These fingers engage the sides of the lowermost case in the stack and thereby secure the lowermost case against side or lateral motion prior to and during the feeding operation into the printing cylinder; this being also essential as it is one of the features required to insure correct registration when printing. The upper ends of the fingers, indicated at 11, are beveled as shown and these beveled edges function as guides when the lowermost make-up case in the stack is dropped between the fingers 10, as will hereinafter be described.

Front and rear guides, generally indicated at E and F, are also required as the stack of makeup cases must be guided both at the sides and at the opposite ends. The front guides E are best shown in'Figs. 2, 6, 8 and 9. They consist of channel-shaped arms 12-l2, which are secured by means of bolts 13 to a pair of cross arms 14 and 15, said cross arms being in turn secured by uprights 16-16 forming a part of a pair of bearings 17-1'7, which are supported by the angle bars 2- 2. The bearings 17 are secured to the angle bars 22 by means of bolts 18. The uprights 16 forming a part of said bearings are rigid. They, in turn, function as hearing members for a cross shaft 19 on which is mounted The bearings 17 form a support for a cross shaft 21. This cross shaft is driven from the main drive shaft D through sprockets and chain 22, and a gear or shaft 21 transmits rotary motion to shaft 19 and the eccentrics 20 through an intermeshing gear 23.

The channel-shaped arms 12 are rigid and stationary as far as the cross arms 14 and 15 are concerned but they are vertically adjustable, together with the cross arms 14 and 15, as slots 16a are formed in the standard 16 through which bolts 16b extend. By loosening these bolts the cross arms 14 and 15, together with the channel-shaped guide bars 12, may be vertically adjusted, this adjustment being important. The lower ends of the channel-shaped guide bars 12 terminate in supporting shoulders 12a, which engage and support the forward ends of the stacked cases. The cross shaft 21 carries four feeding fingers generally indicated at 24. These fingers rotate in the direction of arrow (1, see Fig. 9, and engage the lowermost case in the stack and force it off the supporting shoulders 12 in the direction of arrow 1). If comparatively thick cases are being handled, the supporting shoulders 12a may be lowered to a position where they substantially engage the cross shaft 21. If smaller and thinner cases are being handled, cross arms 14 and 15', together with the channel-shaped guides 12, will necessarily be raised so as to raise the supporting shoulders 12a with relation to the fingers 24; that is, the fingers 24 must not project above the shoulders 12a a greater distance than the thickness of the cases being handled for the reason that if they did project above the same they would also engage the next adjacent case above and force it off the shoulders. It is only desirable that one case at a time shall be liberated, hence the adjustment described.

The channel-shaped guides 12 form guides for a pair of clamping and lifting arms generally indicated at 121). These arms are preferably made of rubber, or a similar resilient material, and are provided with corrugations or teeth 120 on their forward faces, the arms 121) having the corrugations formed thereon are preferably vul canized, or otherwise secured, to metal plates, such as indicated at 12d. These plates, together with the rubber strips vulcanized, or otherwise secured thereto, are vertically movable in the channel guides 12 and this motion is imparted through the eccentrics 20. The eccentrics engage U-shaped yokes 20a secured to the rear side of each metal plate 1201. The upper ends of the metal plates 12d are provided with cross pins 12c, see Fig. 6. These project through the side walls of the channel guides 12 and the side walls are slotted to permit the pins to move up and down with the plates. The lower ends of the plates 12d are merely guided by the side walls of the channels and they move inwardly and outwardly between the same during the rotation of the eccentrics 20. 'In the position of the eccentries 20, shown in Fig. 9, plates 12d assume their innermost position in the channel guides but when the eccentrics assume a position opposite to that shown in Fig. 9, the plates 1261 will have moved outwardly. The channel bars 12, accordingly, function as guides for the members 121) and these have two functions, first that of gripping the stacl: of make-up cases placed between the side guides 8 and 8a, and secondly that of lifting the stack of make-up caseswhen the lowermost case is to be separated. The channel bars 12 will be referred to as the front guides and are generally indicated at E. A pair of rear guides are also employed and are generally indicated at F. These are best shown in Figs. 1, 2

and 8. They consist of channel bars 25 secured to cross arms 26 and 2'7, these being in turn secured to standards or uprights 28 forming an integral part of a set of rear bearings generally indicated at 29; these bearings being supported by the channel bars 22 and the channel bars are longitudinally slotted as at 30 to permit bolts securing the bearings to pass through the slots. By this arrangement the bearings 29, together with the standards 28, cross bars 26 and 27, and the channel bars 25, may be moved forwardly or rearwardly with relation to the front guides I", this being essential to permit adjustment for make-up cases of varying length.

The bearings 29 support a cross shaft 31 and this shaft carries a pair of eccentrics 32. The eccentrics engage U-shaped yoke members 33 and these are secured to slide plates 34, which carry combination gripping and raising members 35, constructed in a manner similar to the members 121) already described. The upper ends of the slide plates 35 are provided with cross pins 86 which project through slots formed in the side walls of the channels 25. These pins guide the upper ends of the slide plates 34 when actuated by the eccentrics 32. The lower ends of the slide plates and the lifting and gripping members carried thereby are movable inwardly and outwardly between the side walls of the channels in a manner similar to the members 125. During inward movement they grip the stack of make-up cases and during upward movement they lift the stack. This inward movement is synchronous with the inward movement of the members 1211 and the lifting movement is also synchronous therewith, hence a drive permitting such synchronous movement is essential. The drive employed is best shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 8. It consists of a crank arm 38, see Fig. 3, which is secured on shaft 21 and rotates therewith. The crank is connected to a link or rod 39 and this red connects with a crank 4-.0 secured to shaft 31. The crank 40, see Figs. 4 and 5, consists of a pair of spaced plates 40 between which is pivoted, as at 41, a cross block 42. The rod 39 extends through this block and is freely slidable therein. The driving connection between the rod and the crank 40 is formed by means of a pair of spaced collars 43 which are secured on the rod 39 by means of set screws 44, or the like. These blocks are spaced apart by a link 45 and the spacing is such that there is a slight lost motion whenever engagement is made between the collars 43 and the cross block 42. If shaft 21 is continuously rotated, crank arm 38 will continuously rotate. This will impart a forward and backward movement to the rod 39. The collars 413 secured thereon will thus intermittently engage the crank arm 40 and an oscillating movement will accordingly be transmitted to the crank arm 40 and the shaft 31 to which the crank is secured. This oscillating movement causes the eccentrics 32 to alternately impart an inward movement and a lifting movement to the combination clamping and lifting members 35, and that movement is in synchronism with the inward and lifting movement of the combination clamping and lifting members indicated at 125.

By referring to Figs. 1, 6, '7 and 8, it will be noted that the top of the feed table B is provided with grooves or slots to provide guideways for a pair of feeding chains 51. These chains are spaced apart, as shown, and carry a series of cross bars 52 which will hereinafter be referred to as the feeding bars. The chains 51 are endless sprocket chains and are supported by sprocket gears which are secured on cross shafts 54 and 55 journaled at opposite ends of the frame, the cross shaft 55 being continuously driven from a shaft 56 through means of sprocket gears and a drive shain 57, and shaft 56 being continuously driven from the main drive shaft D through intermeshing gears 58.

In actual operation it will be understood that shaft D supporting the cylinder C is continuously driven in any suitable manner. This drive is transmitted to continuously drive shaft 56 through the intermeshing gears 58, shaft 56, in turn, causing a continuous drive to be transmitted to shaft 55 and. sprocket gears carried thereby, and in this manner imparting a continuous motion to the sprocket chains 51 and the feeding bars carried thereby. A continuous rotary motion is also transmitted to the cross shaft 21 by means of the sprocket chain drive indicated at 22. Shaft 21,in turn, transmits a continuous motion to shaft 19 through means of the intermeshing gears 23 and as shaft 21 carries the crank 38 this, in turn, will transmit an oscillating movement to the shaft 31 through means of the rod 39 and crank arm 40. With the side guides and the front and rear guides properly adjusted the make-up cases may be placed in stacked formation between the guides, as shown by dotted lines at 60 and 61 in Fig. 2. It will there be noted that the cases assume an inclined position as the forward ends of the cases are supported by the shoulders or lips 12a formed in the lower ends of the channel guides 12, the rear ends of the cases being supported directly by the feed table as shown. During the operation of the feed mechanism, as shaft 21' continuously rotates, the fingers 24 secured thereto will engage the forward edge of the lowermost make-up case and as such will force the lowermost case rearwardly, or in the direction of arrow 5, see Fig. 2. During this movement the forward edge of the lowermost make-up case is forced rearwardly a sufficient distance to clear the shoulders 12a and in this position it will be unsupported and will drop by gravity downwardly and will thus rest on top of the feeding table. During this movement the rear edge of the lowermost make-up case is forced in under the lower ends of the channel guides 25 and will assume the dotted line position indicated at 62. A moment after the lowermost make-up case has been separated and dropped on top of the feed table, a feeding bar 52 will engage the rear end of the make-up case and will carry it forwardly and deliver it to the printing cylinder C. The case will there be printed and will finally be discharged upon a conveyor, or receiving table, such as indicated at 65, see Fig. 1, Prior to the separation of the lowermost make-up case from the stack of remaining cases, the eccentrics 20 and 32 will have forced the combination clamping and lifting members 125 and 35 inwardly and upwardly. The stack will thus have been lifted free of the lowermost make-up case and the separating operation is thus simplified as the lowermost l make-up case has been relieved of the weight of the stack and the stack has been lifted clear of the same, and it is due to this feature that the separating and feeding operation can successively take place where make-up cases of this charac- I;

ter are being handledj One of the make-up cases in flat form and ready for printing is shown in Fig. 12. From this it will be noted that wherever the cardboard is folded it is embossed, as indicated at 66. produces raised edges or surfaces which tend to interfere with separation. It should also be noted that where the ends overlap, as indicated at 6'7, a shoulder is formed which would also interfere, and it should further be noted that where the staples 68 are driven through the overlapping edges interference may also result at that point, as it sometimes happens that the staples are not perfectly clinched or driven into place, and when this happens projections exist which would in- I=' terfere with separation and feeding. All of these obstructions are of no material importance in the present instance, as the lowermost case is readily separated from the remaining make-up cases due to the fact that the major portion have been clamped and raised prior to the separation of the lowermost case, thus freeing the lowermost case of projections and obstructions which would interfere.

If the side and front guides have been propof the case during the feedingoperation is pre- 1);

This embossing I vented and this is also important as it insures perfect registration.

It was previously stated that the side guides 8 and 8a were adjustable through means of the bolts 9 as they extend through slots 6a in the cross bars. This adjustment takes care of any variation in the width of the make-up cases. It was also stated that the rear guides 25 could be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly to take care of the length of the make-up cases. When such adjustments are made, and particularly adjustment for length, the timing of the feed bars with relation to the printing cylinder C is destroyed and means must accordingly be provided for resynchronizing the operation. This is accomplished by providing a slip clutch, such as shown in Fig. 11. This clutch is preferably formed at the end of the cylinder or drive shaft D and it consists of a cone'shaped member 70 secured on or forming a part of the shaft D. The gear 58 and the sprocket gear carrying the chains 22 are provided with cone-shaped recesses to engage the cone 70. They are forced into tight or gripping engagement with the cone by a nut 71 carried by the outer end of the shaft. By loosening this nut the entire driving mechanism may be adjusted to synchronize with the printing cylinder. When such synchronism is insured nut 71 is tightened and a fixed drive is thus obtained, hence means are provided for adjusting the feed to take care of make-up cases of varying width and length and also for synchronizing the feeding mechanism when such adjustments are made.

No attempt has been made to give the exact timing of the feeding mechanism as the timing is exceedingly simple. It is accordingly believed that it should be sufficient to state that prior to separation and removal of the lowermost makeup case the combination gripping and raising members 12b and 35 grip and raise the major portion of the stacked cases. The lowermost case is then separated and removed by the fingers 24 and the moment it has been removed and dropped to the surface of the bed plate, feed bar 52 engages it and feeds it forward into the printing cylinder. During this period, eccentrics 20 and 32 lower and release the stack permitting the cases to again rest on the shoulders 12a. This timing completes one cycle of feeding. All cycles are identical and will accordingly be repeated as each case is separated and removed, and while this and other features are more or less specifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A feeding device of the character described comprising a feeding table, means for supporting a stack of substantially flat articles on an angle to the table with the front end of the stack elevated with relation to the table and the rear end thereof resting on the table, means for engaging the front elevated end of the lowermost article in the stack, said means separating the lowermost article from the stack and releasing it so that the elevated end of said article drops to the table surface, and means for removing the re leased article from in under the stack.

2. A feeding device of the character described comprising a stationary feeding table, means for supporting a stack of substantially fiat articles on an angle to the table with the front end of the stack elevated with relation to the table and the rear end thereof resting on the table, means for engaging the front elevated end of the lowermost article in the stack, said means separating the lowermost article from the stack and releasing it so that the elevated end of said article drops to the table surface, means for removing the released article from in under the stack, and means for clamping and raising the major portion of the stack to relieve the lowermost article of weight while it is being released and removed from the stack.

3. A feeding device of the character described comprising a feeding table adapted to support a stack of substantially fiat articles, means supporting the front end of the stack so that the stack will assume an angular position with the front end of the stack elevated with relation to the table, means for releasing the front end of the lowermost article in the stack with relation to said support so that the front end will drop to the table surface, means for removing the released article from the stack, and means for clamping and raising the major portion of the stack to relieve the lowermost article of weight while it is being released and removed from the stack.

a. A feeding device of the character described comprising a stationary feeding table adapted to support a stack of substantially flat articles, means supporting the front end of the stack so that the stack will assume an angular position with the front end of the stack elevated with relation to the table and the rear end thereof resting on the table, fingers engageable with the front end of the lowermost article in the stack to move and release the front end of the said article from the support and to permit the front end of said article to drop to the table surface, and a feeding member movable longitudinally of the table and during said movement engaging and removing the released article from in under the stack.

5. A feeding device of the character described comprising a feeding table adapted to support a stack of substantially flat articles, means supporting the front end of the stack so that the stack will assume an angular position with the front end of the stack elevated with relation to the table, fingers engageable with the front end of the lowermost article in the stack to move and release the front end of the said article from the support and to permit the front end of said article to drop to the table surface, a feeding member movable longitudinally of the table and during said movement engaging and removing the released article from in under the stack, and means for clamping and raising the major portion of the stack to relieve the lowermost article of weight while it is being released and removed from the stack.

6. A feeding device of the character described comprising a feeding table adapted to support a stack of substantially fiat articles, means supporting the front end of the stack so that the stack will assume an angular position with the front end of the stack elevated with relation to the table, fingers engageable with the front end of the lowermost article in the stack to move and release the front end of the said article from the support and to permit the front end of said article to drop to the table surface, a feeding member movable longitudinally of the table and during said movement engaging and removing the released article from in under the stack, and means for vertically adjusting said support with relation to the releasing fingers to take care of articles of varying thickness.

7. A feeding device of the character described comprising a feeding table adapted to support a stack of substantially fiat articles, means supporting the front end of the stack so that the stack will assume an angular position with the front end of the stack elevated with relation to the table, means for releasing the front end of the lowermost article in the stack with relation to said support so that the front end will drop to the table surface, means for removing the released article from the stack, end and side guides engageable with the stack to guide and maintain the stack in engagement with the front end support, and means for adjusting the guiding members to take care of articles of varying length and width.

8. A feeding device of the character described comprising a feeding table adapted to support a stack of substantially fiat articles, means supporting the front end of the stack so that the stack will assume an angular position with the front end of the stack elevated with relation to the table, fingers engageable with the front end of the lowermost article in the stack to move and release the front end of the said article from the support and to permit the front end of said article to drop to the table surface, a feeding member movable longitudinally of the table and during said-movement engaging and removing the released article from in under the stack, said feeding member delivering the released article to a cylinder press, end and side guides engaging the stack to guide and retain the stack on the front support, means for adjusting the position of said side and end guides to take care of articles of varying length and width, a common drive for the cylinder press, the releasing fingers and the feeding member, and means for synchronizing the movement of the feeding fingers and the feeding member with relation to the rotational movement of the cylinder press.

ERNEST BUSH. 

